Basingstoke apprentices on steps to success

SEVEN young people from Basingstoke have taken part in an apprentice recruitment day held by Sentinel Housing Association – and four of them will get a foot on the career ladder.

The housing association, based in Kingsclere Road, Basingstoke, held the event at its offices after whittling down the number of people taking part from 50.

The final seven candidates took part in a variety of team-building exercises throughout the day, including a ‘river crossing’ challenge and a ‘tower building’ challenge to construct the highest, most stable tower using only newspaper and sticky tape.

The seven applicants also got the chance to meet current apprentices – Will Robinson, Sam Taylor and Robyn Allen – and former apprentice Ryan Keen.

Since completing his apprenticeship in 2013, Ryan has gained a full-time job at Sentinel Housing Association as a neighbourhood team administrator and has recently been promoted to the post of lettings officer.

To round off the day, the seven applicants took part in IT tests as part of their application.

Cathryn Gee, head of human resources at Sentinel, said: “We were very impressed by the young people who attended our housing apprentice recruitment day.

“It’s a shame we only have four posts to fill, as we’d happily employ all seven of the candidates. It’s going to be extremely tough to make a decision.”

The four successful applicants will start a full-time apprenticeship with the housing association in September in a range of departments, including communications, neighbourhoods, property services and customer services, at the end earning NVQ qualifications.

The remaining three applicants who are not successful on this occasion will be referred to Sentinel’s Support Towards Employment Programme (STEP) to help them find alternative work or training.

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here